to 6.5. Shallot leaves and flowers both have a good texture for raw salads, and a nice, earthy, slightly sweet and subtle flavor. Collard greens are best grown from seed or by purchasing seedlings inexpensively from a nursery. In this article, we have gathered together everything you need to know about collard greens. Yes, the long green top leaves can be used like you would spring onions. Collard greens are a famous staple of Southern cuisine that are beginning to be recognized as a treat in other areas. The bulbs are believed to be milder than large onions, but this seems to only be true when they are cooked, as raw shallots are anything but mild in flavor. winter harvest. Overcooked collard greens have an unpleasantly slimy texture, and emit a Collard greens provide Cut out the moldy portion, leaving an inch of extra room around it, then discard the moldy portion. Collard green plants tend to be rather large and need ample room to grow, and can be started by seed or transplant. USDA growing zones 6 and You can pick collards when they are frozen in the ground. system). Transplants usually are used for the spring crop. Dig holes in the prepared soil approximately 18 to 24 inches apart -- collard plants grow 2 to 3 feet tall and about 18 inches wide. You can find these materials at a garden supply store. Finally, we let you know what pests and diseases to watch out for, and some steps you can take to prevent infestations. Every dollar contributed enables us to keep providing high-quality how-to help to people like you. Horticulturalist Maggie Moran advises, “Cut and remove the stems and the center rib of the collard greens. standout vegetable when it comes to cancer prevention. If water pools up in the soil, you are watering too much. Plant seeds in rows at least 3 feet (.9 m.) apart, as growing collard greens get large and need room to grow. Because of its ability to withstand low temperatures, growing … We've been helping billions of people around the world continue to learn, adapt, grow, and thrive for over a decade. If you are not sure that the spots on your collards are mold, contact your local Extension office to have a sample tested. How to Simmer Collard Greens. In fact, people have been eating collards for over 2000 It depends on how they are prepared. prevent them is to rotate your crops each growing season, taking care not to Required fields are marked *. Tip #2 Starting Seeds Indoors. The long green leaves can be used like you would use spring onions. This variety is still grown today because it is slow to bolt, compact, highly productive, Save small shallots for next year’s crop. Collard greens were, in a sense, made by humans in that they were created through the process of selective breeding and do not occur naturally in the wild. This video will show how to harvest collard greens. Strip collard greens from stems; roll leaves and slice thinly. The long green leaves are used like spring onions. These plants will grow well in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. Smaller pests, such as aphids, can be blasted off of the leaves by spraying them down with the water hose. If you have planted collards in containers, use about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of fertilizer per plant. The goal is to cook the greens slightly, while keeping their bright green color and not cooking them completely. deep. Bring the stem with leaves attached inside, wash them, and snip off the leaves so you can cook with them. A 4-inch layer of com- post is enough. Provide water when the soil is dry to a depth of 1 inch,  pouring slowly over the soil surface until it begins to flow out of the drainage holes, then stop. keeping the soil moist at all times instead of letting it dry out between Regular harvest and even watering will keep the plant producing new tender leaves. How long does it take to grow collard greens? In order to get the most nutrients and health summer harvest, but only in cooler areas (and only when plenty of water is Unlike the other cultivars on this list, all loose-leaf varieties, ‘Morris’ is a … The most important environmental condition for collard greens is a consistently moist and fertile soil. By using our site, you agree to our. Spread the compost over the planting area before digging. Planting in late summer or... 2. a continual harvest throughout the growing season. Shallots are well suited to container gardening. Fill a 2-gallon stockpot half-full with water. order to encourage financial prosperity in the coming year. Typically smooth in texture, these greens have broad, dark green leaves with light colored veins and stems. The greens are consumed in The long green leaves are used like spring onions. Sauté chopped bacon in olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet until almost crisp. They’re an excellent choice for both northern and southern climates because they love the heat but also tolerate cold weather. Green How to Grow Collard Greens. Step 1. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. If you live in a dry area, add mulch to the soil so it retains moisture. Collard seeds sprout when the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees F. Therefore, they often have hidden sand and dirt caked on their stems. Oh, wait, well, except maybe okra. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Collard greens can grow just fine in containers, so there's no need to transplant if you don't want to. your collard plants. Deter collard-loving caterpillars, especially in spring, with a biological insecticide such as DiPel or Thuricide containing Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). Collard greens contain more iron and calcium compared to other greens. Dig a hole that is 4 inches (10 cm) deep in your soil. % of people told us that this article helped them. Diseases that trouble the collard green plant Meanwhile, wash collards, trim stem ends and cut into 1-inch pieces or leave whole. of the human body’s digestive and cardiovascular systems. Let the greens drain fully before moving on to your recipe or freezing them. Put the greens, stems and leaves, into boiling water for three minutes. Though shallots, onions, and garlic share many similarities, they differ from each other in several ways as well. If you are not growing your own collard greens, try to find organically grown ones if possible. Collard greens are a cool weather crop. Be sure to find a recipe that encourages you to turn off the burners before the greens start to wilt and turn slimy. green plants are biennial. Though the plant’s tough leaves do provide some extra protection, collard greens suffer from the same pests and diseases as most other members of the cabbage family. Vates collard plants are short and The ideal growing environment 3, 4, 5 for collard greens is in moist, compost-rich soil that is well drained. Collard Greens are also an excellent source of Overwintering is a must if you plan to save seed, as collard Allow time for the material to begin rotting. Alternatively, you could get a head start by sowing the seeds indoors four to six weeks earlier and moving the seedlings outdoors around the time of the last frost date. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. How to Harvest Collards Use a small knife or clippers to cut the entire plant about 4 inches from the ground; the plant will send up new leaves from the remaining stem. Quickly steaming or lightly sauteing your collard greens is highly recommended. significant amount of the healthy nutrients that they naturally contain. Collard greens have also been found to help improve the functionality Once dry, store them in a paper bag until you plant them. Collards can be started from transplants or from seeds sown directly in the garden. Then, boil water and cook the collard greens for 15 minutes. Leaves and flowers can be tossed raw into salads. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. They thrive in full-sun and dry soil conditions when grown in pots instead of outdoor beds. Your email address will not be published. For example, shallots contain a more concentrated source of protein, fibers, and micronutrients. The vegetable is considered a “must-have” dish on many Southern table… There are also tall, upright varieties, as well as short, compact sometimes called greasy collard, due to its shiny, smooth, bright green leaves. In northern states, they are planted a little earlier in the Every week, apply a liquid 24-8-16 fertilizer product and dilute it at a rate of 1/2 teaspoon per 2 gallons of water. through the winter months if you are experiencing any disease or pest problems. Tree collards can grow up to 10 feet or more, but they’re easily maintained as a 4-foot “shrub.” That’s not to say they look particularly shrub-like. Shallot bulbs can be used in place of any onion. Boil your collard greens for a quick and delicious veggie side. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you are using potting soil, then just dump it out in a container and break up any clumps. Remove the bottom and top of a coffee can. Collard greens need this nutrient to produce healthy leaves. Collard greens are also a fixture of the traditional New Year’s For best results, harvest anytime after the first frost has come and gone. taken collard greens as their own, collard green consumption did not originate Shallots can be eaten raw, or cooked in a variety of ways. and when prepared correctly, they can be the star of the show, even outshining We recommend hybrids for gardeners looking to below are ideal for a late season crop. Shallots work especially well when eaten raw, such as in dressings or fresh salads. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Add in onion and collard stems. Thin seedlings to 18 inches (46 cm.) plant. As per the information provided by USDA , one cup of raw collards has 11.5 calories and 0.22 grams of fat. After draining them well, you can add garlic or lemon juice to the collards to enhance their flavor.”. They will be ready to harvest in 40-85 days. Top There are lots of different collard green recipes on the internet that you can try. Be careful not to touch your knife to or drag your knife through the moldy zone, as you could cross-contaminate the rest of the collard leaf. Add a layer of mulch This tutorial shows you how to grow and harvest collard greens: After you harvest your collard greens but before you cook them, you will need to clean the leaves and cut them down to a manageable cooking size. With the collard greens, we either put them in the slow cooker all day until they are tender or blanch a couple leaves to wrap around our burgers instead of using a bun. When harvesting, discard shallots that are light or dry, or soft. Very similar to vates but with a lower yield, but more Choose a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Use your spade to take out some dirt in long... 3. Hybrid varieties Once the water has reached a rolling boil, add the collards to the pot and let them blanch for 30 seconds to three minutes. The blanching time for collard greens is 3-4 minutes per pound. calcium. Collards grow best in sandy soil. slow to bolt and highly productive. Fill the sink with slightly warm water and add 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Collards have long been used for their ability to help regulate the Then put the stem/core in a container with some water and place it on a sunny windowsill, then leave it there so it can develop roots. It’s also important not to leave your collard plants standing If your shallot container is wide enough to grow rows of plants, space them 10 inches apart. habit of producing new leaves in the place of the ones you took away. meal, along with black-eyed peas and cornbread. In zones 8 and up, you will get the You can grow them in containers or plant them directly in the ground. Plant collard greens in spring 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost. Harvesting regularly will keep your plants in the We even listed some links at the end for further fun and research. Collards are a culinary staple in the deep south, Shallots are often described as a cross between onions and garlic and it’s no surprise that they can be used as a substitute for either vegetable in recipes. Add minced garlic to stems … You can simply scatter the seeds, since you will then them out to save the healthiest plants later. and resistant to caterpillar damage. needs. They will start to get top-heavy towards the end of the season and may require support. However, be gentle with the plants because their leaves become brittle when frozen. antioxidants, rich in vitamins K, A, and C, as well as manganese, fiber, and Overwintered kale produces loads of kale florets in the spring. Leave at least four leaves at the top of the plant (the growing crown); that will allow the plant to grow new leaves for future harvest. Cut and remove stems and the center rib of the collard greens. Follow these steps to clean collard greens… grow a single harvest, and open-pollinated varieties for those looking to reap Save Regardless of which veggie is the most “Southern,” it’s not without reason that collards are the state vegetable of South Carolina, and cities in Georgia celebrate the collard green with annual festivals! The plants are fairly easy to grow and do well in cool weather. Vates – Vates is an open-pollinated collard green variety that has excellent Keep an eye on your plants. They are also in the leafy greens category, along with lettuce, swiss chard, and spinach. Hailing from the Brassica family, like To blanch collard greens for use in a recipe or before you freeze them, start by boiling a pot of water and chopping the greens if desired. You can space them 18 to 24 inches apart or plant them more thickly, then thin and eat young plants until you reach the desired spacing. Morris Heading. For whole-plant harvest of kale or (more often) collards, cut the teenage-sized or mature plant through the stem just above the soil level as you would with cabbage. apart for adequate room in the rows. Maybe the most … uniform in form and maturation. Follow the instructions included with your kit for exact details about testing the soil pH. Though there are countless recipes online for making the perfect batch of collard greens, many of them suggest cooking them too high and too long. This tutorial video shows you the proper way to clean and cut your greens before cooking: Collard greens are easy to grow, do not require a lot of maintenance or care other than weekly watering, and perform well in most climates. likely to rear its head if the soil is amended to a slightly acidic pH of 6.0 Pick – This variety is a savoy-leaved hybrid that is Place 8 (1-quart) jars and their lids in the water bath. Collard greens grow in zones 6-10. Blanch no more than one pound at a time. When they’re done softening up, remove the collard greens to an ice water bath or rinse them with cool water to prevent them from actually cooking instead of just blanching. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,455 times. They will eat the leaves of collard greens. Turnip, mustard, collard greens and kale are all members of the cabbage family. mature before harvesting. provided during the heat of the summer, or bolting will occur). Side dress the soil with composted manure or a include blackleg, black rot, clubroot, and cabbage yellows. Thin seedlings down to 18 inches apart within the rows. Many varieties will even hold through the winter and can be picked if protected with a cold frame or another season extender. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. plants producing rapidly, even through multiple harvests. There are smooth-leaved types and savoy-leaved (curled, wrinkled leaves) types Organic pesticides can be used as well, but as a general rule, don’t use harsh chemicals on plants that you are cultivating for consumption. Pack soil around it so that it is secure in the ground. over to cover the plant material on the. frost, prolonged exposure to temperatures that are below freezing will kill You can keep track of rainfall by setting up a. In a blanching pot or large pot with a tight fitting lid, bring 5 quarts of water to a rolling boil. resistance to bolting and early flowering. benefits out of your homegrown collard greens, be sure not to overcook them. Dig out rows in the soil if you are planting the collards in the ground. best crop by planting in the fall and harvesting throughout the winter. The area chosen for collard greens planting should be in full sun. Collard greens are members of the Brassica family, which includes mustards, turnips, and cabbage. After draining well, you can add garlic or lemon juice to the collards to add a variety of flavor. That’s why it’s important to loosen your soil well (and deeply enough) before you plant collard greens. The greens also lose nutrients as they lose their color. Collard greens, along with all of collards’ relatives in the brassica family, are the result of the selective breeding of wild mustard that started with Greeks and Romans 2,500 years ago and continued through the 1600s. Both hybrid and open-pollinated species are available. How long does it take to make collard greens? Once the collard core has some healthy roots going, you can transplant it back into the garden or a container to grow more leaves. All Rights Reserved. The ones that will attack collard greens are likely to be an inch or two long and striped (black, white, and yellow, for instance). Place the can in the hole. to keep the leaves clean and to help the soil retain moisture. Quick Guide to Growing Collards. plant collard greens, or other cruciferous vegetable plants in the same spot You can harvest your collard greens and put them back into the garden to grow another delicious batch of leaves if you make sure to keep the stem attached to the leaves when you harvest. Soft spots on shallots are a sign of decay and any shallots with soft areas on their exterior should be pulled and tossed into the trash or compost bin. Sow seed 1/4 to 1/2 in. Save the seedlings you pull up and add them to your salads for a tasty treat. Rinsing them off usually isn't enough to remove all the sand. Collard green leaves may turn yellow if the greens are left in the refrigerator past their prime, go too long without water, lack nitrogen, are exposed to cold, or are damaged by garden pests and diseases like black rot, aphids, or fusarium yellows. Collard Greens are a cool season vegetable Now, we grow our own collard greens, spinach, kale and brussels sprouts in our garden. For maximum results, add aged compost to your garden bed or containers prior to planting. In order to continue reaping a harvest in cold climate 1 stalk of collard greens (retain stems) 1 cups of water (use fresh milk if you prefer a rounder taste) Procedure: Wash your collard greens in a strainer, to remove all impurities and any fertilizer that might have been used if they are store bought. Wait until late summer or early fall to plant. sulphurous smell, but more importantly, overcooking your collards zaps out a Place the collard greens into the sink and rinse them with cold water as you pull them out. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep into the soil. Give your collard greens 1 inch (2.5 cm) to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of water a week, unless it has rained at least that much in your area. You can also contact your local county or cooperative extension agency for tips on measuring your soil’s pH. What is a good companion plant for squash? Collard greens are not only frost-tolerant, In short, you should attempt to limit the level of heat that you cook them Slugs and worms can be removed by hand. , wrinkled leaves ) types available add organic matter healthy leaves trim ends... Are used like you may need daily watering in hot, dry.... Germination until you can take to prevent infestations plant include blackleg, black rot, clubroot, and.... Extra room around it, then discard the moldy portion planting 2 to 4 unrooted nodes the! The root system of a coffee can germination until you can add garlic or lemon juice to the collards the. Plants well-watered, keeping the soil retain moisture plant stretches down into the soil pH, space them 10 apart... And flowers both have a sample tested collard plants producing rapidly, even through multiple harvests you collard... Frost-Tolerant, but they may need daily watering in hot, dry conditions growing environment 3, 4, for! Add aged compost to your recipe or freezing them adapt, grow, and resistant to premature and., thicker center stem protection, you can take to prevent infestations up and them! Quarts of water to a depth of two feet need ample room grow. Plant include blackleg, black rot, clubroot, and can be in... Details about testing the soil is amended to a rolling boil pull out... To get top-heavy towards the end of the leaves clean and to help the temperature! Has excellent yield, while keeping their bright green color and not them! By signing up you are not sure that the spots on your collards are mold, contact your local or! A crown of large collard-esque leaves that cascade from the stem of the Brassica family which! Of cooking, put the greens also lose nutrients as they lose their color or brassicas to help improve functionality... By fertilizing from early spring until the bulbs begin to swell frost-tolerant, more! Have how to grow collard greens from the stem, dark green leaves with light colored veins and stems the first frost has and... Resistant to premature flowering and bolting frame or another season extender is warm enough for collards to add a of. Vates is an open-pollinated collard green plant include blackleg, black rot clubroot. Of mulch to the collards to add a variety of flavor of two feet online for the... In northern states, they are planted a little earlier in the fall for a and. A slow release fertilizer every four to six weeks flowers both have a sample tested best grown from or! Pale instead of outdoor beds a winter harvest, onions, and a nice,,! The water bath for a winter harvest steps you can Pick collards they! Frame or another season extender starts to grow collard greens, try to find a recipe encourages! Bulbs can be used like you would use spring onions 6.5 with lots of sun and water root system a... And diseases to watch out for, and some steps you can to. Plants in the ground slightly acidic pH of 6.0 to 6.5 best crop by planting in the fall for late. Of two feet no vegetable more closely associated with the water hose come away from stem... To sprout agency for tips on measuring your soil well ( and all greens ) well as dirt to... Subtle flavor from early spring until the bulbs begin to swell using different! Are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy bacon in olive oil medium-high. Out some dirt in long... 3 soil around it, then just dump it in. The arrival of COVID-19, the long green top leaves can be found at the for... Or from seeds sown directly in the fall and harvesting throughout the winter and in... Are not growing your own collard greens need this nutrient to produce healthy leaves beneath the soil temperature 45... From the stem with a sharp downward pull are mold, contact your local Extension to... At least three feet apart lids in the garden seedlings in salads or coleslaw for a late season.. Family, which includes mustards, turnips, and uniformity lots of sun and water materials at a supply! And compact, with a pH around 6.0 to 6.5 climates because they love the heat but also tolerate weather! Them well, you will then them out to save the healthiest plants later not only frost-tolerant but... Or freezing them drain fully before moving on to your recipe or freezing them the!, swiss chard, and a nice, earthy how to grow collard greens from the stem slightly sweet and subtle flavor or Thuricide containing Bt Bacillus! Plant producing new tender leaves plants are fairly easy to grow healthy and strong, for... Your recipe or freezing them single spindly stalk with a cold frame or another season extender their own collard! Types and savoy-leaved ( curled, wrinkled leaves ) types available 1 inch extra... Texture for raw salads, and resistant to premature flowering how to grow collard greens from the stem bolting resistant! Of any onion perennial plant which can be started by seed or transplant measuring your soil back and measure much. Stem of the easiest ways is to use the spinach and kale in our quiches them out save! Oh, wait, well, you can simply scatter the seeds, since you get!